Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) community team works with community groups predominantly classified in the lower 20% of the Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) and groups in the upper classifications of rural in the Urban Rural Scottish Government Classification. Groups in the lower SIMD 20% have been more susceptible to serious illness and death from COVID-19 (Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, 2021). Referrals in Aberdeen to community mental health teams have increased by an average of 25% across the general population in 2021. Proposed activity is to:1. Further deliver our current workshops focusing on mental health to a wider audience through identifying groups which would most benefit. 2. Run a weekend event (potentially at the end of Mental Health Awareness Week – 14th and 15th May) with a mental health theme inviting mental health professionals to hold activities, talks and workshops in addition to delivering the Science Centre mental health workshops. Tickets will be given to community groups identified as benefitting from the event. 3. Have two adult only evening events delivering ‘The Science of Self Care’ and ‘The Science of Mental Health’ workshops, one at each event. Alongside the workshop visitors would have time for discussion and exploring the Science Centre.
